The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-05-24

Geo. X. Tingle, U. s. Treasury Agent for
the Alaskan Seal Fisheries, our party
was privileged to board one Of the China
steamers which had just arrived in port.
We passed through as much OF the vessel
aH We cared to examine, after which We
remained on deck long enough to witness
somc Of the formalities to which John WAS
subjected, before he was allowed to 20 on
shore. The information already given,
will suggest to the reader, tho nature OF
the examination. Each Chinamen whose
papers are approved, has chalk mark
placed on his back in the shape OF croes :;
which Is not understood however to make
him any less pagan than before. His
friends are visiting for him on the dock,
with An express wagon, and soon load OF
celestlals, with their nondescript luggage,
pigtails, and chalk marka, are chatte1iug
on their way to Chinatown.
Those who are taken ont on Yris have
ID. U. chalked on their backs, which NAV
mean either "habeascorpus," or "Hea.hen
Chinese" or both; and are sent also in an
express wagon, under guard, to the Court
room.
Our cu,ioHity took us to the Court,
where We found ona frng Seng wrestling
with the lawyers and Interpreters. His
story told the detective on tho steamer
did not tally with his certificate exactly,
or with HIS statements bsfora the Govt :
but he managed With the help OF hia law
yer to explain away the discrepancy.
When asked what kind Of place Seattle
was this former American residencel hs
replied: You see land, tso sides" This
answer was 30 satisfactory (no one in court,
nnleaa Yunct having ever seen Sea,tle),
that the Chinese c!ssl in geography was
allowed to sit down.
iung's signature made in 1883 did T., 1t
correspond with that made before the
court; but he claimed tina. there were
different styles Of Chincne writing, and
that both signatures were hia; and Chi.
nese expert employed by the court gus.
tanned him. Finally they discovered that
his description fled in 1883 called for IL
mark like a split pea on each corner OF tis
mouth. The District Attorney looked
anxiously, and 10! tho mark was thore.
The Chinese audience lighted up with q
Rmile that was "chiIdIike and bland"
fung Tseng exchanged his Fl. O. chalk
mark for GROSS, and went away to his
wash tub rejoicing.
1t has been very pleasant Tor Us 10 meet
in California quite number Of former
residents OF West Virginia. We mention
Mr.. John Mckee. OF tho Talant banking
Company, San Francisco, who will be-
pleasantly remembered by the older lu-i.
nees men OF Wheeling. lie inquired with
great interest in regard TO his Wheeling
fricnda, who will be grNtiiled to know ,hst
he occupied here highly honorable place
ia Rocial aud business rides.
We met also Jas. L. Tucker, Esu, IA
son OF Hon. beverly Tucker lie teo!s n
strong attachment 10 his old home and
friends in the Eastern Panhandle and
elsewhere. We AIao had very pleasant in.
terviews With Mr.. 4. A. Thompson, broth
or OF the Congressman cleo. Of The S3a0-
ma, California, district; and eon OF Il A,
Thompson, one OF the pioneerB OF tho
ksnawha Valley, whose lnmily was H.
ferred to in sketch published in tho lS-
TILLiuESCRR short tine Ginco. Mr.. T.,
takes a warm insercst in West Virginia, Is
III occasional newspaper correspondent,
and 10 the author Of so,ns books, relating
to California localities, which he hps Kind.
ly placed In my hands to be presented 10
the Wheeling Library.
This letter is, fear, already too long,
but It must not omit HI expscsslon OF thu
great obligation under which our party
resta to Mr.. George r. Tlnsle Tor tho
many acts OF courtesy and kindueas which
| he has bestowed upon NJ, aud which have